Extendible builder&#39;s tower



May 26, 1942. o. L. BERBY I EXTENDIBLE BUILDER'S TOWER Filed Aug. 9,1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 9, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Elma EIEREYMay 26, 1942. o. BERBY EXTENDIBLE BUILDER'S TOWER Filqd Aug. 9, 1940 3Sheets-Sheet. 3

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Patented May 26, 1942 01a L. Berby, Duluth, Minn, assignor to Clyde IronWorks, Duluth, Minn, a corporation of Maine Application August 9, 1940,Serial No. 352,002

6 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in builders towers wherein it isdesired to provide a tower which may be readily portable and which maybe used to lift materials to a desired height in the erection of abuilding or the like.

In past years it has been common practice to construct a scaffoldadjacent a building which is being erected in order to provide anelevator which may be used in lifting materials used in the constructionof the building. While such towers serve the purpose in most instances,it is often desired to move the location of the tower from time to timein order to avoid the necessity of hauling the material considerabledistances after it has been elevated. Furthermore, when such a tower hasserved its purpose it must be torn down and entirely disassembled andrebuilt when it is desired to use the same again.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a builders towerwhich may be moved from one place to another with comparative ease andwhich may be erected in an extremely short period of time without theuse of steel erectors or of special erectors to accomplish this task.This type of tower may be maintained in assembled form or in virtuallyassembled form and may be erected and folded into inoperative positionin a few minutes time. Elevator towers which are not so constructedoften take many hours to erect and disassemble and require skilled'workers to do this work.

' It is an object of my invention to provide a builders tower which maybe folded into inoperative position so that the tower may be removedfrom the base in a few minutes time. It is a further feature of myinvention to provide a construction in which the tower maybe folded downupon the base when it is desired tolower the center of gravity thereofin moving the tower from one spot to another.

It is a feature of my invention that the tower may fold down upon thebase and be carried thereby with little danger of tipping. In foldedposition the center of gravity of the tower is extremely low and itwould be necessary to tilt the base at an extreme angle to tip the same.When in folded position the tower may be moved beneath overheadobstructions, such as guy wires and cables, and yet the tower may beerected in an extremely short period of time.

It is a feature of my invention to provide a builders tower having abase which engages the tower at the lower extremity thereof and at apoint spaced from the lower extremity. Removable pivots are providedboth at the lower extremity of the tower and at the point of connectionwith the tower substantially above the surface of the ground. Byremovingthe pivot means at the lower extremity of the tower, the towermay be folded down onto the baseto rest thereupon for moving purposes.When the other pivotwhich engages the tower substantially above thesurface of the ground is removed, the tower may be pivoted down directlyonto the surface of the ground in order that the tower may be entirelydetached from the base.

It is a further feature of my invention to provide a tower and avertically movable elevator platform mounted entirely to one side of thetower. Providing the platform entirely to one side of the tower permitseasy loading and unloading of the elevator platform and permits thetower to be placed with its longitudinal axis parallel to a buildingwall in such a manner that wheelbarrows, concrete carriages and thelike, may be loaded onto the platform from one side thereof while theplatform is lowered and may be removed from the opposite side of theplatform when the same is in elevated position. This feature isimportant as it permits the tower to be moved longitudinally along thewall from one point to another when it is so desired.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tower in erected position, showingthe elevator platform in elevated position,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of my builders tower, showing infull lines the position of the tower when it is folded down upon thebase and illustrating in dotted outline theposition of the tower as itis being lowered onto the ground.

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the head of the tower.

Figure 4 is a top plan detail view of the head i of the tower.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through the tower, looking down uponthe boom attachment.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the portion of the tower to whichthe boom is attached.

Figure 7 is a transverse section through a portion of the base of thetower, showing the tower rest for supporting the tower in foldedposition. Figure 8 is'a side elevational View of a portion of the baseand tower, showing the pivotal connection between the towerand base.

Figure 9 is a front view of a portion of the base v and tower, showingthe pivotal connection between the base and the lower extremity of thetower.

formed of the necessary height for a certain job and if it is so desiredthe tower'may be relatively short at the start of the erecting processand may be lengthened from time to time as the height of the building isincreased.

The head 30 includes a transversely extending angle 3| designed toconnect the angles 24 and angularlyarranged angles 32 connecting the an-Flgure 12' is a sectional view throughthe tower, f

showing the upper pivotal connection between the tower and the base.

v Figure 13 is a side elevational viewof a portion of the tower, showingthe connection of the platform to the tower.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view through the tower also illustratingthe 'connection' between the platform and the tower.

The hoist A includes a base I provided with a pair of longitudinallyextending parallel runners Uponjthe runners II is mounted a platform I2upon which-is located a'suitable hosting apparatus I3 including a motorI4, a rear cable drum I5 and 'a front cable drum I67. The cable drums I5and I6 are rotated by the motor'and operate the cables to' raise andlower the elevator platform and to erect the tower in a manner whichwill be later described. Suitable brakes are provided for the cabledrums I5 and I6 as is usual with devices of this sort so that the speedwith which the elevator platform and the'tower is lowered may beregulated.

At the forwardend of the base I3, I provide a pair of parallel upright.supports I! connected gle 24 .with the angle 2.5. A reinforced channel 7plate 33 projects rearwardly. from the angles 32 at the apex thereof andis provided with a hole ,34 therethrough for attaching the top of'a boomsupporting guy wire35 by means of a shackle A pair of spaced angles 36extend upwardly from the transverse angle 3| to form a bearing forapulley 31 mounted. on apivot 39 extending through at the bottom to atransversely extending platform I9 in the manner best illustrated inFigures 8 and 9 of the drawings. Angularly ex tending braces 20 extendfrom the base I0 to the upper extremity of the uprights I! to strengthenthese uprightsjand to reinforce the same. Side braces 2| are connectedto the transversely extending cross member I9 and are secured to theuprights near the top thereof to support these uprights fromthe side.Reinforcing brace -members 22 extend from the braces 2|] to the crossmember I9 to act as a support for'the operating pulleys and to furtherreinforce the braces 20.

The tower '23 is preferably constructed with a pair of outwardlyextending angle guides 24 in parallel spaced relation and with a thirdangle 25, the front angles 24 and the rear angle 25 being arranged intriangular formation. Cross braces 26 connect the. angles 24 and othercross braces 21 connect the angles 24 with the rear angle 25, formingthe apex of the triangle. Di-

agonal braces 29 extend between the cross braces 21 to further reinforcethe tower. This type of of the drawings and indicated in general by thenumeral 30, is secured at the top of the tower;

It will be understood that this'head 30 may be removedif it is sodesired and an additional section of tower maybe added to the top of thetower illustrated, the head then being secured at the top of the addedlength'of the tower.

Thus it will be seen that my tower may be these angles 36. Brace plates40 extend between the angles 32 and the front angle 3| to furtherreinforce the head 30. V

If it is desireda boom 4| may be mounted'upon the tower projectingrearwardly from the rear angle 25. This boom. 4| is secured upon avertical pivot 42 best illustrated. in Figures5 and 6 of the drawings.The pivot 42 projects upwardly from a plate 43 projecting r'earwardlyfrom itherear angle 25'and a pair of parallel plates 46 also projectrearwardlyfrom'this an- 'gle 25. A pulley 41 is pivoted on a pivot pinbetween the plates 46 to support the cable which is used in conjunctionwith the boom 4|. A pulley 50 is mounted at the outer extremity .of theboom and raises the cable from the pulley 41.

vObviously the boom 4| may be swung through 'a wide angle about its"pivot 42 and is held at fixed'height by the boom guy wire or supportingcable 35. At the rear end of the base l0 I provide a pair .ofstandards5| secured at their lower extremity to the base I0 and convergingtogether atthe top and secured to a connecting plate 52. The plate 52is-provided'with a V-shaped notch 53 therein to accommodate the tower23. The angle 25' of the tower '23 fits into the notch 53 when the toweris in folded position and the standards 5|. support the tower 23 in thisfolded position.

Bolts 53 or looking pins are used to hold the pivots 5'I in properposition.

At the base ofthe tower 23 the angle 25 terminates substantiallyaboyethe lower extremity of the an les 24 and triangularv connecting platesare welded to the angles 24 to form the lower extremity of the1tower. As.best shown in'Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the drawingsa pair of pivots 6|extend transversely from'the angles 24 and engage in notches 62 in theforwardly projecting base members-63 mounted on the base III. A pair oflockingpins 64 having angularly extending heads thereupon slidablyengage in suitable receivingapertures 65 adjacent the notches "62, andthese lockingpins 64 hold the pivots 6| locked in place in the notches62. When the lockingpins; 64 are removed,kthe tower 23 can tiltrearwardly about the pivots 51 into the position illustrated in fulllines in Figure 2 of the drawings. If, however, the locking pins 64 areretained in place and the pivots 5T removed, the tower 23 may pivotforwardly in the manner illustrated in dotted outline in Figure 2 of thedrawings. 7

The elevator platform 66 is substantially constructed and may, ifdesired, be provided with a rail 61. The platform 66 is provided withvertically extending angular supports 69 which are provided with a pairof spaced rearwardly extending ears [6 near the upper extremity thereof.The shafts H extend through the ears 10 to support rollers 12 whichengage the rear surface of the angles 24. A shaft 13 extends througheach of the vertical supports 69 to support a roller I6 which engagesthe front surface of the angle 24. The rollers 14 are positioned nearthe surface of the platform 66 while the rollers 12 are spacedconsiderably above the level of the platform. The platform 66 is thusmounted on a cantilever supporting arrangement, the weight of theplatform tending to draw the rollers 12 against the rear surface of theangles 24 and i also tending to urge the rollers 14 against the forwardsurface of these, angles 24. When the tower 23 is first erected, thepivots 6| are placed in the notches 62 and the locking pins 64 arepositioned to lock the pivots in place. The tower 23 is lying at thistime upon the ground with the angles 24 lowermost and the angle 25uppermost. In order to erect the tower a block '15 is secured by aflexible cable 16 to the point TI on the braces 26. A pair of spacedcable guides 19 project upwardly from the upper extremity of theuprights I? to guide the cable 16 over the top of these uprights. cabledrum is then threaded beneath the pulley sheave 8|, under the pulley 41on the tower 23, up around the block 15, down and around the sheave 68adjacent the sheave 67,. again through a sheave in the block 15, to adead end adjacent the sheaves 67 and 48. Thus by operation of the engineI4, the rear cable drum I 5 may be rotated to exert a pull upon thecable 86 which tends to pull the sheaves 41 and 68 toward the block 75.The tower 23 pivots about its pivots 6i and may be eased into erectedposition, in which position the tower may be retained by insertion ofthe pivots 5?.

Before erection of the tower 23, the rope 82 from the front cable drumI6 is extended under the sheave or pulley 83, through the tower to thehead, over sheave or, pulley 37 in the head, and may be dead-endedeither to the platform 66 or The rope 80 from the rear may if desired,extend about a pulley on the platform and be dead-ended at the head 36.No pulley is shown on the platform 66 as in the form shown the cable 82is dead-ended to this platform.

When it is desired to lower the tower the foregoing procedure may bereversed and by using the brake on the rear cable drum Hi the tower maybe lowered to the ground.

When it is desired to lower the center of gravity of the building towerfor moving purposes, the 1 cables may be rearranged to accomplish thisresult; The cable 86 from the rear drum I5 is extended under the pulley8|, over the pulley 84 at the base of the tower 23, down around thepulley 83, up over the double pulley 84, down to a dead-end adjacent thepulley 83. The lock pins 54 holding the pivots 6| in the notches 62 maythen be removed and the base of the tower 23 pried forwardly to startthe downward move- 76 ment thereof. By use of the brake on the rearcable drum IS the tower 23 may be foldeddown about the pivots 51 intothe folded position illustrated in full lines in Figure 2 of thedrawings.

described the principles of construction and operation of my builderstower, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodimentsthereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be madewithin the scope of the following claims without departing from thespirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A portable tower comprising a base, a tower element, means on saidbase engaging said tower elementat a point spaced from the lower endthereof, a pivotal connection between said engaging means and said-towerelement whereby said tower may be folded with respect to said base, anda second pivotal connection between said base and the lower extremity ofsaid tower, whereby said tower element may be folded down upon theground.

2. A portable tower comprising a base, a tower element, a support onsaid base engaging said tower element at a point spaced from said base,a removable pivotal connection between said support and said towerelement, a second pivotal connection between said base and the lowerextremity of said tower element, and means on said base for pivotingsaid-tower element about each of said pivotal connections.

3. A portable tower comprising a base, a tower element projectingupwardly therefrom, a removable pivotal connection between said base andsaid tower element whereby said tower element may be pivoted down uponthe ground or up into vertical position; a support on said base engagingsaid tower substantially above said base when said tower element is invertical position, a second removable pivot connection between saidtower element and said support, whereby said tower element may bepivoted between its ends in a second direction, and a second upwardlyextending support on said base engageable with said tower element whensaid tower element is folded down about said second pivotal connection.

4. A portable tower comprising an elongated base, a hoisting unit at oneend of said base, a tower element projecting upwardly from the other endof said base, a support on said base engaging said tower element at apoint substantially above said base, a transversely extending removablepivot means connecting the lower extremity'of said tower element to saidbase, a second transversely extending pivot connecting said towerelement to said support, and means connecting said tower element to saidhoisting unit to pivot said tower element by said hoisting unit.

5. A portable tower comprising an elongated base, a hoisting unit at oneend thereof, a tower element at the other end thereof, a transverseremovable pivot connecting said tower element to said base whereby saidtower element may be pivoted forwardly from said base to rest upon theground; a support projecting upwardly from said base, a, removabletransverse pivotal connection between said tower element and saidsupport whereby said tower element may be folded down between its endsto overlie said base, and means connecting said hoisting unit to saidtower element to pivot the same.

6. A portable elevator comprising a base, a hoisting unit on said base,a tower element, parallel removable pivots connecting said tower elementto said base at vertically spaced points;

both said pivots operable, when engaged, for

holding said tower element inerect position, one of said pivotspermitting pivoting of said tower element forwardly from said base, theother of said pivots permitting pivoting of said tower ele- OLA L.BERBY.

